Service and Repair Policy

This policy explains how repairs and services work at The Common Cyclist — what you can expect from us at every stage, and what we ask of you in return. We've written it in the order things happen, so it's easy to follow.

1. What we work on

We specialise in:

  • Commuter and hybrid bikes

  • Children's bikes

  • Lower-to-mid-range road bikes

  • Microscooters (as an accredited Microscooter repair partner)

For electric bikes, cargo bikes and high-end performance bikes, we can carry out a range of everyday jobs — puncture repairs, chain replacements, brake disc work and other standard fixes. What we won’t take on is work that requires specialist components or manufacturer-level diagnostics, which means full servicing of these bike types is outside our scope. If you’re not sure whether we can help with your specific job, just ask — we’ll always be straight with you, and if we can’t do it, we’ll do our best to point you somewhere that can.

2. Booking your service

You can book a service online at any time. If you’re not sure which service you need, just select the one that sounds closest and we’ll assess the work properly when you arrive. When you book, you’ll:

  • Choose the service that best fits what your bike needs

  • Pick a date and time slot

  • Pay for the service in full online to confirm your booking

A confirmation email will be sent to your address as soon as the booking is complete. If you don't receive it within a few minutes, please check your junk folder.

3. Dropping off

Please arrive at your booked time — drop-off usually takes around 5–10 minutes. When you arrive, we’ll:

  • Look over the bike with you

  • Listen to what you've noticed and what you'd like us to address

  • Give you an initial estimate of cost and time

  • Agree the scope of work before we start anything

Please remove personal items — locks, bags, lights, phone holders — from the bike before dropping it off. We’re not responsible for accessories left on the bike.

For services, we’d recommend booking online in advance to secure your timeslot. For smaller jobs and repairs, walk-ins are always welcome — we’ll take these on a first-come, first-served basis whenever our service schedule allows.

4. Estimates

Our estimates at drop-off are honest and based on what we can see at the time. A few things to be aware of:

  • Estimates may change once we've cleaned or taken a closer look at the bike — hidden issues do sometimes come to light.

  • If the cost is likely to go above the estimate, we will always contact you before doing anything further.

  • We will never carry out work beyond what was agreed without speaking to you first.

Labour prices on our website are fixed. Parts are charged at cost and confirmed before they are ordered or fitted.

5. Parts

We stock a core range of everyday parts at the kiosk: inner tubes, brake pads, brake blocks, cables and common consumables.

If your repair needs something we don't have in stock, we'll let you know and give you an estimated lead time before ordering. The part cost will always be confirmed with you before we proceed.

6. While we have your bike

We'll get in touch if:

  • We discover something that changes the scope or cost of the repair

  • A part needs to be ordered, affecting the turnaround time

  • We need your authorisation to continue

We'll always contact you before doing anything outside what was agreed. We prefer a quick call or text — just make sure we have your correct mobile number when you drop off.

7. When your bike is ready

We'll contact you by text or phone as soon as the bike is ready for collection. Because we're a small outdoor kiosk with limited storage, we'd really appreciate prompt collection. If you're unable to come that day, please let us know and we'll do our best to accommodate you.

8. Collection and payment

When you collect:

  • We'll walk you through the work that's been done

  • We'll flag anything we noticed that's worth keeping an eye on

  • For services booked online, any agreed parts costs are settled at this point. For walk-in repairs, the full amount is due on collection

  • We accept cash and card at the kiosk

9. Typical turnaround times

  • Puncture repair: same day

  • Brake or minor adjustment: same day

  • Common Spin service (dropped off in the morning): same day or next day

  • Common Tune service: typically next day

  • Repairs requiring ordered parts: we'll give you a timeframe once the part is confirmed

We'll always tell you what to expect at drop-off, and we'll let you know promptly if anything changes.

10. If something isn't right

We take real pride in our work, but if something doesn't feel right after collection, please come back to us. You can speak to us in person at the kiosk or email service@thecommoncyclist.com.

Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, if a service is not carried out with reasonable care and skill, you have the right to ask us to redo the work or, where that's not possible, to offer a price reduction.